Christmas Tour First Impressions

 The Eufaula Alabama Tour of Homes has come and gone for another year.    Our home was on the tour this year and and I can tell you that it is a sweet event as the days of laboring are over and you are rewarded by hearing the tourist complements and enjoyment from being in your home.  My favorite complement was from a lady who said that she could just live on our front porch as this too had been the soul reason of my enchantment with our home.   

 I could look past the chippy paint and just see years of sipping ice tea and swinging on this delightful porch with all of its charm.

We dressed the porch up with ribbons and roses and soft twinkling lights that you could hear the traffic slow when plugging them in at dusk.

 The garland was really the only area that I splurged a bit this year knowing that I would enjoy its beauty for years to come.  I purchased just the topper from Robyn Story Designs in Tampa FL.  Robyn has become a great friend and brilliant resource for creativity, inspiration and beautiful ideas.  If you are ever in Tampa make sure you visit her beautiful store.    My wonderful friend Marie then  helped me complete the garland strands for around the front door.  That girl can make some ribbon and bows sing and I don't know what I would have done without her.  Another friend Kathleen loaned me her extra bulbs and decorations and another friend, Margaret loaned me some of her poinsettas.  I am blessed to have such amazing friends and I love them all dearly! 

 To me it's how you feel when you are greeted at the door and this charming Santa helped me welcome our guests.   One day as I was coming home my neighbor greeted me and told me how he had been cleaning our their attic and found something that he thought we might like.  He had place a black trash bag on our tractor seat in the garage and  he assured me that it would not hurt their feelings if I just wanted to toss it.   My grandchildren were visiting that day and so I was slow to get to the trashbag.   The next day when I finally remembered  I ran out to get it and shouted with excitement as I pulled out  Jolly Old St Nick out of the black trash bag.  I knew right away where he would go.

So just like Santa I am relaxing and enjoying my surroundings today, but I think the both of us had better get busy with getting the gifts now.  So come on old boy, let's get moving!

Today I am joining Susan's party for Met Monday.